March 25, 2017
La CROSSE, Wis. – Dakota State (S.D.) returned back to action Saturday afternoon, visiting Viterbo (Wis.) to kick off the North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) Softball conference four-game series at V-Hawks Softball Field. The V-Hawks hit a combined six home runs to sweep the Trojans by the scores of 15-3 and 13-5.
Dakota State fell to 10-15 overall record, while Viterbo improved their overall record to 6-18. Both teams are 3-5 record in the North Star conference games.
DSU and VU conclude their NSAA's four-game series with another doubleheader Sunday afternoon at 12 noon. The doubleheader takes place at V-Hawks Softball Field in La Crosse.
Game 1 – Viterbo (Wis.) 15, Dakota State (S.D.) 3 – FINAL/5 innings
Viterbo (Wis.) stormed to a 5-0 opening lead in the bottom first frame, highlighted by Lauren Davis' 3-run home run and Abigail Giese's 2-run home run.
The V-Hawks made it 6-0 in the second inning after the Trojans committed a wild pitch. VU exploded for seven runs in the bottom third inning, including a 3-run home run by Bailey Thur to widen their lead to 13-0.
Dakota State broke their scoring drought after plating three runs in the top fourth inning. Peyton Brokiewicz led off with a solo home run to cut VU's lead to 13-1.
Emma Marsh followed up with a walk in the top fourth for the Trojans. Kelly Drake drilled a double and advanced Marsh to third base. Marsh scored caused by VU's defensive error as the Trojans trailed 13-2. Kayla Schmell added an RBI single to score Drake to trim V-Hawks' lead to 13-3.
Viterbo made it 15-3 in the bottom half of the fourth inning after Sarah Obert hit a 2-run home run.
Brokiewicz went 2-of-3 at the plate with a home run and drove in a run for DSU. Drake added a double. Schmell registered a single and an RBI. Kailee McFadden, Nicole Stewart, Jasmin Lucero and Megan Zephier each had a hit.
Obert was 4-for-4 with a home run, tallied three RBIs and scored three times for VU. Davis and Thur each added a home run and drove in three runs. Giese had a home run, single and collected two RBIs.
Viterbo had 11 hits in the game compared to Dakota State 8 hits. The Trojans left six runners on base while the V-Hawks had two runners left on base.
Drake (L, 4-8) recorded the loss after tossing four innings in the circle for DSU. She gave up 15 runs on 11 hits.
Kayla McInerney (W, 2-9) earned a complete game victory for VU. She allowed three runs (one unearned) on eight hits. She recorded five strikeouts.
Game 2 – Viterbo (Wis.) 13, Dakota State (S.D.) 5 – FINAL/5 innings
Viterbo used another fast start in the second game of the doubleheader. The V-Hawks raced to a 6-0 lead in the opening inning, highlighted by Tessa DeSmith's grand slam.
Dakota State scored twice in the top second frame. Tatum Ronke led off the inning with a single. Marsh reached safely on base caused by VU's defensive error and advanced Ronke to second base. Ronke swiped to third base. Kaysea Luna produced an RBI ground out to score Ronke to score DSU's first run of the game (VU leads 6-1).
The Trojans cut V-Hawks' lead to 6-2 in the top second as Marsh scored caused by VU's defensive miscue.
Viterbo exploded for five runs in the bottom half of the second inning. DeSmith hit her second grand slam of the game as VU's lead ballooned to 11-2.
VU made it 13-2 in the bottom third after Sarah Throgmorton's 2-RBI double.
Marsh blasted a solo home run in the top fourth inning with one out as the Trojans trailed 13-3. Luna followed that up with a double. Zephier and McFadden hit back-to-back singles to set up a bases loaded situation for DSU.
After a fielder's choice by Schmell (Luna was out at home), Stewart hit an RBI single to score Zephier as the Trojans cut their deficit to 13-4. Lucero added an RBI base-on-balls to reduce their deficit down to 13-5.
The V-Hawks secured the game as the Trojans left a runner on base in the fifth inning.
Marsh had a home run and an RBI for Dakota State. Stewart added two hits and an RBI. Luna had a single and an RBI. McFadden, Ronke and Zephier each had a single.
DeSmith had two grand slams and drove in a game-high eight runs for Viterbo. Throgmorton added a double, single and tallied two RBIs.
VU outhit DSU 8-7 in the game. The V-Hawks committed five defensive errors compared to the Trojans two defensive miscues. Dakota State left seven runners on bases while Viterbo left five runners on base.
Luna (L, 5-4) took the loss in the pitching circle after pitching four innings for the Trojans. She allowed 13 runs (1 unearned) on eight hits.
Caitlyn Kozik started the game for the V-Hawks, tossing 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Obert (W, 1-4) earned the victory after pitching 3 2/3 innings in relief. She gave up five runs (1 unearned) on seven hits.
Nick Huntimer, Dakota State University Sports Information Director
